SRA Stories: Lauren Postlewait

Many rowers are familiar with the struggle of finding balance between all the things they want to do and need to do in life. For our junior rowers, balancing practice with school, homework, family time, hanging out with friends, tutoring, and other activities teaches them how to manage their time really quickly. Additionally, our adult rowers need to manage even more with work, childcare, vacations, chores, appointments, friends, family, and other hobbies as well. 

Sammamish Rowing Association has a strong desire to expand the sport to young adults. Statistically, most of our master rowers who have children either have children currently in high school or who have moved out as young adults. This has left very little representation for young parents on our masters teams, but one 5am rower is absolutely crushing it as a young mom.

Lauren Postlewait grew up in Issaquah and attended the University of Washington. In 2006, Postlewait and a friend joined one of Sammamish Rowing’s Learn to Row summer programs following their freshman year in high school. She said, “After that summer, I was hooked, dropped the other sports and never looked back. I rowed all through high school and went on to row at UW for my freshman and part of my sophomore year. I took about a 10 year rowing break and always missed it so much, I would often dream that I was rowing, no joke. Being on the water, the challenge (or should I say pain?), racing, the hi-viz, my teammates, my coaches and so many other things keep me coming back! I plan to be a lifelong rower.”

Postlewait has primarily worked in Seattle based start-ups in technical recruiting but recently made a move to operations and is loving it. Another thing she is loving is being a mom to two children, Julie age 2 ½ and Cole who is 8 months old. “Julie loves to hear all about my practices when I get home and likes to check out the “owies” on my hands,” Postlewait said. “My husband, Jeff, and I have been together since high school and got married 6 years ago. We are both UW alumni and are big husky fans. We love to be active and spend time outside.” The family can be found on Lake Sammamish in the summers and enjoy other water sports such as water skiing or wake surfing (Postlewait did make sure to apologize to rowers for that!). 

Being a parent and working full time gives Lauren very little free time, but she has found that rowing allows her to have dedicated “me” time that leaves her feeling healthy physically and mentally. “Prioritizing YOU as a parent is so important and rowing is my thing,” she said. “It keeps me happy and healthy. Plus, when I have to miss days for sick kids or my husband traveling, my coaches and teammates are super supportive and understanding of my situation. I couldn’t do it without them either!” Postlewait rows for the masters 5am team which practices from 5:00-7:00 am. She said during this time her kids are still asleep and are just waking up when she gets home from practice.

She credits discipline and preparation as keys to balancing her early morning rows, taking care of her kids, and working her full time job. “The key is being disciplined about being prepped and ready for the next day and getting to bed early. Plus, when you have kids, they go to bed early and I’m not too far behind them!  I couldn’t do it without the support of my husband, Jeff, and our family that is close by,” she added.

The boathouse was basically a shack when Postlewait began rowing in 2006. Portable bathrooms were outside and rowers changed behind sheets strung up on the ceiling. Weight training was completed with concrete filled paint cans. Nevertheless, incredible coaching by her coach at the time, Courtney Moeller, and the amazing friendships she made and memories shared at the Hod Fowler Boathouse solidified rowing as a passion for Postlewait. After a gap in her rowing career, she met up with an old friend, Dennis Ferrer, and got the scoop on masters rowing. In 2019, she joined the 5am team and the rest is history!

“It’s been said before, but rowing is the ultimate team sport. You have to show up for yourself and your team every single row. It teaches you accountability and ownership unlike anything else,” Postlewait commented. For novice rowers or those considering joining the sport, she highly recommends giving rowing a chance and says the investment of time and money in the sport is absolutely worth it for the benefits consistent activity and a team atmosphere bring you. 

When she was a junior rower, one of Postlewait’s favorite memories was the Brentwood Regatta. Sleeping in the gym and racing all day with friends are what made the regatta so special to her. As a master rower, Postlewait loved rowing at the Head of the Charles Regatta in 2021. She had never rowed in the event before and hopes to make many more Head of the Charles appearances. 

Sammamish Rowing Association is truly a community where we welcome everyone. Our membership continues to inspire and impress us as they work hard towards their own personal goals and the goals of their team. From world class regattas to a casual row with friends, our sport provides fun, community, and challenge to all who try it. We could not be more proud of Lauren’s commitment to rowing alongside her strong commitment to family, friends, and her work. We hope her story inspires others like her to check out what Sammamish Rowing has to offer!